Wildcat......

[deadheadskier]

Just looking for the specifics as to why they cannot expand their ski terrain as I am not aware. I'm assuming it's because it's in the White Mountain National forest and there's no permitting available. I was up there today and I couldn't help but look up there and see some pretty nasty terrain both skiers left and right of the mountain.


I've never skied the cat and look forward to it. I've been up there before, but long enough ago that I didn't remember what it looked like and it certainly didn't blow me away looking at it like say the first time I drove up to Sugarbush, MRG, Stowe, Loaf, etc, but definitely looks like a fun place.


To the Back Country purists who probably no of some nice hike to lines in the areas I was looking at.....go screw, you've got the biggest BC playground in the east across the street.

 

[riverc0il]

I see no reason for Wildcat to expand. Since it is White Mountain National Forest land, any expansion would have to be approved by WMNF and there may be some stipulations about not expanding past the existing boundaries in the lease for all we know. They did put some glades on the map a while back. The mountain is fine just the way it is, in my opinion, and I am not privy to slack country beta for the record.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The place has been for sale for several years probably don't want the expense and hassle of such a big project. The zipride they put in is awesome.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Just a bit of speculation here...

The USFS land outside their current special use permit may be of a management area category that would not allow additional expansion. All USFS land is split into 8 different management area categories, each allowing only certain specific activities/development thereupon. Only one category (Category 8 ) allows ski development. While the land they are on now is obviously Cat 8, the adjacent land may not be (or may not be any longer).

Alternatively, maybe they aren't interested in such a project right now. The scope of planning, permitting, and negotiating for any use of USFS land is unbelievable.

 

[bobbutts]

I thought the zip line was fun, but so slow to get on it. Waited about 2.5 hrs for them to get through a line of 20 something people. Once you're finally on it's over too fast. They could stand to expand that for more capacity. It is nice on a warm day because the waiting area is high enough up to be much cooler than the valley. They should give people a number so they don't have to stand in line and have a bar or something else like a climbing wall or anything else to do while waiting.

 

[bobbutts]

There are different lifts and wider runs but Wildcat has been pretty much the same place for a long time. Expansion and Wildcat are two things that really don't seem to go together and that's fine with me.

 

[David Metsky]

Since there is little housing/real estate that could be built there, expansion doesn't make much sense. Ski areas are real estate operations with a winter activity.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I thought the zip line was fun, but so slow to get on it. Waited about 2.5 hrs for them to get through a line of 20 something people. Once you're finally on it's over too fast. They could stand to expand that for more capacity. It is nice on a warm day because the waiting area is high enough up to be much cooler than the valley. They should give people a number so they don't have to stand in line and have a bar or something else like a climbing wall or anything else to do while waiting.

Took this pic a couple of weeks ago....

The zipride at Wildcat is 2100ft, pretty impressive, while the one we have at the Bush is only 800ft. The Bush's is at the base so no need to ride a lift to get to the launchpad. Pretty much the same price but you get two rides at the Bush. I felt that the one at the Bush is more customer friendly. The one at Wildcat uses 4 cables, 2 for zippers and 2 for returning the harness. At the Bush the return is done manually.

 

[deadheadskier]

Since there is little housing/real estate that could be built there, expansion doesn't make much sense. Ski areas are real estate operations with a winter activity.

Outside of the forest service restrictions, I'm sure this plays a large part. I'm just am always one to look up at a hill and see new lift and trail developments and wonder out loud about the possibilities....

I was all over that area yesterday for work and thought the same things about Attitash, Cranmore and Black to.

 

[eatskisleep]

To the Back Country purists who probably no of some nice hike to lines in the areas I was looking at.....go screw, you've got the biggest BC playground in the east across the street.

Two different mountains with very different terrain. Why open up more whne what they have is great, and what they don't have, is also great

 

[Terry]

I think it is just right the way it is. If they expand, that means more expenses, and higher ticket prices. It is seldom real crowded, has some very good terrain, and a fast lift to the top. How can they improve on that?

 

[deadheadskier]

It is seldom real crowded, has some very good terrain, and a fast lift to the top. How can they improve on that?

A second fast lift up to the peak that is skiers right?


Another great day at the cat today. I've got a high school crush on the place right after my second visit. That said, I still look around and gawk at the possibilities along that ridgeline.

 

[ckofer]

I've had the thoughts too. When you consider all the hassles and costs of outward expansion, it's quick to see why it doesn't happen. The other place then to look is the woods, I'm not sure what it takes to develop good glades runs but every area seems to have woods between their trails that could be explored. Ragged is a good example.

 

[deadheadskier]

Definitely plenty of room to open up the woods between trails at the cat. I actually found a couple of shots today over on the Wildcat trail side that were obviously someone's personal stash, though it was completely tracked by the time I hit.

I'm sure the more I explore there, especially over in Thompson's, the more variety I'll find to enjoy.....won't stop me from dreamin' though

 

[Breeze]

Two summers ago Wildcat sought and got permission from the NFS to thin some undergrowth and limb up standing timber to allow for increased access to tree skiing. A group of volunteers organized and spent much of the summer working on the project. They were allowed to cut brush/saplings under 3" in diameter and limb up trees for headroom ( although deep snowpack still makes it tight for headwhackers).

Some of that group of volunteers are regular skiers at Wildcat, although most of them you would never see on weekends. Weekdays after a dump they arrive early ( often before lift ops) and skin up for stash. Likely you found some of that!

Ski patrol has some reservations about expanding tree skiing and maintaining the safety of the stashes "within bounds". Not that they don't like to SKI IT, it is more about getting a sled in and out for rescue.

Thompson Brook definitely has a lot to offer. Just be sure to stay oriented and remember that it IS NOT within bounds of the ski area.

If you are set up for freeheeling/BC, you might check out the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation trails in the Wildcat River Drainage, accessed from the Wildcat Valley Trail ( there is a Winter 1 Way HSQ lift ticket and a day use fee to JSTF payable at the ticket window at Wildcat total $14.00--- 6 bucks for the ride up and 8 bucks to JSTF).

If I'm not totally mistaken, there is still a permit in place essentially "grandfathering" a lift that is no longer there ( was an upper mountain chair from the top of the Tomcat lift).

Another complicating factor in "expansion" is the presence of the Appalachian Trail which traverses the summit- kind of adds another trump card to the NFS permitting process.

As always, be aware of your limitations and the risks/responsibilities you assume when you ski. There is still "thin cover" in natural snow areas.

Breeze

 

[MikeTrainor]

This old map shows the mid mountain catapult lift. This on looks like it starts at the top of the Bobcat lift, perhaps it was shortened?? This is 1981.

EDIT: the attachment is hard to see here is the link: http://teachski.com/brochures/wildcat/1wildcatb.jpg

 

[Breeze]

You are more right than I Mike...... I knew the old Catapult was just to the left of Gondi Line, but yes, it was closer to the elevation of Top of the Bobcat.

Thanks for the GREAT link!

Breeze